Fluid-dispensing comb and method of use

ABSTRACT

A fluid-dispensing comb comprising a handle base including a reservoir to hold a fluid to be dispensed by the fluid-dispensing comb to the scalp; a hollow comb head attached to the handle base, the comb head including a plurality of hollow teeth with curved interior faces and terminating into open ends through which the fluid is dispensed to the scalp.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to combs and brushes that apply oils, liquids, tonics, medicines, or other ingredients to the scalp.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of the invention involves a fluid-dispensing comb comprising a handle base including a reservoir to hold a fluid to be dispensed by the fluid-dispensing comb to the scalp; a hollow comb head attached to the handle base, the comb head including a plurality of hollow teeth with curved interior faces and terminating into open ends through which the fluid is dispensed to the scalp.

One or more implementations of the aspect of the invention described immediately above includes one or more of the following: the ends of the teeth are separated by a distance of at least 7 mm; the curved interior faces of the plurality of teeth form V-shaped spaces between the curved interior faces of the teeth; the ends of the teeth include roller balls that are rotatably received within the ends that roll along the scalp to distribute fluid to the scalp; the handle base and the hollow comb head are rotatably attachable and detachable with respect to each other; the handle base includes a proximal portion with a suction cup to secure the fluid-dispensing comb upright to a flat horizontal surface; and/or the handle base is transparent and includes volume level markings.

Another aspect of the invention involves a method of using the fluid-dispensing comb of the aspect of the invention described further above comprising: receiving fluid to be dispensed to the scalp in the fluid-dispensing comb; and based on user input, orienting the fluid-dispensing comb so that liquid flows from the hollow comb head out of the open ends to the scalp.

One or more implementations of the aspect of the invention described immediately above includes one or more of the following: based on user input, rotatably detaching the hollow comb head from the base handle and filing the handle with the fluid to be dispensed to the scalp; the handle base includes a proximal portion with a suction cup to secure the fluid-dispensing comb upright to a flat horizontal surface, and the method further includes, based on user input, securing the fluid-dispensing comb upright to the flat horizontal surface with the suction cup of the handle base; the ends of the teeth are separated by a distance of at least 7 mm; the curved interior faces of the plurality of teeth form V-shaped spaces between the curved interior faces of the teeth; the ends of the teeth include roller balls that are rotatably received within the ends that roll along the scalp to distribute fluid to the scalp; and/or the handle base is transparent and includes volume level markings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a front-elevational view of an embodiment of an oil-dispensing comb;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the oil-dispensing comb of FIG. 1 showing, oil flow from a base of the comb to a head of the comb;

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the head of the oil-dispensing comb of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3B is a front-elevational view of the base of the oil-dispensing comb of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

With reference to FIGS. 1-3B, an embodiment of an oil-dispensing comb 10 will be described. The comb 10 is preferably used to dispense essential oils to the scalp while simultaneously combing one's hair. In alternative embodiments, the comb 10 may distribute other oils, liquids, tonics, medicines, or other ingredients to the scalp.

The comb 10 includes a comb head 20 and a handle base 30.

The comb head 20 includes an elongated manifold section 40 and a plurality of teeth 50. The teeth 50 include interior faces 60 that are curved and terminate in flat, open ends 70. The ends 70 are separated by a distance D of at least 7.5 mm. The curve in the teeth 50 is also necessary so that the comb 10 does not tangle, snag, or pull out hair. The primary function of the comb 10 is to provide an even distribution of oil to the scalp. The comb 10 particularly caters to the various textures and styles of people of African descent, especially catering to styles such as dreadlocks, natural curly, natural kinky, weaves, Afro, braids, daily styling, and other known protective hair styles.

Curved V-shaped gaps/spaces 80 are disposed between the curved interior faces 60 of the teeth 50. The ends 70 include roller balls 90 that are rotatably received within the ends 70. The comb head 20 is hollow and includes a main manifold passage 100 and teeth passages 110. A base member 120 of the comb head 20 includes a threaded interior 130.

The handle base 30 includes a reservoir 135 with a curved exterior 140 having a larger diameter center 150 that tapers down to smaller diameter distal end portion 160 and smaller diameter proximal portion 170. The distal end portion 160 includes a threaded exterior 180 that is threadably received within the threaded interior 130 of the base member 120 of the comb head 20 for screwing the comb head 20 onto the handle base 30. The proximal portion 170 includes a suction cup 180 for securing the comb 10 in the vertical, upright position shown in FIG. 1. The suction cup 180 on the base member 120 of the comb 10 is intended for the upright stowage of the comb 10, as shown in FIG. 1, and the prevention of leakage from the teeth 50 while not in use. Additionally, redistribution of oil back into the reservoir 135 will occur after usage if stored properly. The exterior 140 of the handle base 30 is transparent and includes volume level markings (e.g., 1 oz, 30 ml, 2 oz, 50 ml) 190 so that the remaining volume of essential oil in the reservoir 135 of the handle base 30 can be easily determined.

In use, the user unscrews the comb head 20 from the handle base 30, and fills the handle base 30 with essential oil. The comb head 20 is then screwed on to the handle base 30. To comb one's hair and distribute the essential oil to the scalp, the comb 10 is oriented to a position similar to that shown in FIG. 2 so that essential oil flows from the reservoir 135 of the handle base 30 into the main manifold passage 100 of the comb head 20, and from there, into the teeth passages 110. The comb head 20 is applied to the head so that the teeth 50 comb through hair and the roller balls 90 roll along the user's scalp, massaging the scalp and applying the essential oil to the scalp. When the user is finished using the comb 10, the comb 10 is oriented to the position shown in FIG. 1 and the suction cup 180 is applied to a horizontal flat surface (e.g., counter top) 190 so that gravity draws the essential oil vertical downward in the reservoir 135 of the handle base 30 so that no leaking occurs out of the ends 70 of the comb head 20. The user can apply one's own mixture of oils, hair serums, hot oil treatments, or combination of oils to the scalp. Redistribution of oil back into the reservoir 135 will occur after usage if the comb 10 is stored properly. Another important advantage of the comb is that it will eliminate the messy and time consuming process of applying oil to the scalp using a singular applicator. It will only take a few swipes with the comb 10 to provide the necessary oils to the entire scalp.

An advantage of the oil-dispensing comb 10 includes that it will eliminate the messy and time consuming process of applying oil to the scalp using a singular applicator. Another advantage of the curve in the comb 10 is so that the oil can easily flow back and forth between the comb 10 and the reservoir 135. The large spacing D of a minimum of 7 mm will allow for the application of oil to a variety of hairstyles. It is also necessary so that the comb 10 does not tangle, snag, or pull out hair. The primary function of the comb 10 is to provide an even distribution of oil to the scalp. The comb particularly caters to the various textures and styles of people of African descent such a for, for example, styles such as dreadlocks, natural curly, natural kinky, weaves, Afro, braids, daily styling, and other known protective hair styles. The user can apply their own mixture of oils, hair serums, hot oil treatments, or combination of oils to the scalp.

The above figures may depict exemplary configurations for the invention, which is done to aid in understanding the features and functionality that can be included in the invention. The invention is not restricted to the illustrated architectures or configurations, but can be implemented using a variety of alternative architectures and configurations. Additionally, although the invention is described above in terms of various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood that the various features and functionality described in one or more of the individual embodiments with which they are described, but instead can be applied, alone or in some combination, to one or more of the other embodiments of the invention, whether or not such embodiments are described and whether or not such features are presented as being a part of a described embodiment. Thus the breadth and scope of the present invention, especially in the following claims, should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments.

Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term “including” should be read as mean “including, without limitation” or the like; the term “example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof; and adjectives such as “conventional,” “traditional,” “standard,” “known” and terms of similar meaning should not be construed as limiting the item described to a given time period or to an item available as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompass conventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies that may be available or known now or at any time in the future. Likewise, a group of items linked with the conjunction “and” should not be read as requiring that each and every one of those items be present in the grouping, but rather should be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, a group of items linked with the conjunction “or” should not be read as requiring mutual exclusivity among that group, but rather should also be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Furthermore, although item, elements or components of the disclosure may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated to be within the scope thereof unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated. The presence of broadening words and phrases such as “one or more,” “at least,” “but not limited to” or other like phrases in some instances shall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or required in instances where such broadening phrases may be absent. 

I claim:
 1. A fluid-dispensing comb, comprising: a handle base including a reservoir to hold a fluid to be dispensed by the fluid-dispensing comb to the scalp; a hollow comb head attached to the handle base, the comb head including a plurality of hollow teeth with curved interior faces and terminating into open ends through which the fluid is dispensed to the scalp.
 2. The fluid-dispensing comb of claim 1, wherein the ends of the teeth are separated by a distance of at least 7 mm.
 3. The fluid-dispensing comb of claim 1, wherein the curved interior faces of the plurality of teeth form V-shaped spaces between the curved interior faces of the teeth.
 4. The fluid-dispensing comb of claim 1, wherein the ends of the teeth include roller balls that are rotatably received within the ends that roll along the scalp to distribute fluid to the scalp.
 5. The fluid-dispensing comb of claim 1, wherein the handle base and the hollow comb head are rotatably attachable and detachable with respect to each other.
 6. The fluid-dispensing comb of claim 1, wherein the handle base includes a proximal portion with a suction cup to secure the fluid-dispensing comb upright to a flat horizontal surface.
 7. The fluid-dispensing comb of claim 1, wherein the handle base is transparent and includes volume level markings.
 8. A method of using the fluid-dispensing comb of claim 1, comprising: receiving fluid to be dispensed to the scalp in the fluid-dispensing comb; based on user input, orienting the fluid-dispensing comb so that liquid flows from the hollow comb head out of the open ends to the scalp.
 9. The method of claim 7, further including, based on user input, rotatably detaching the hollow comb head from the base handle and filing the handle with the fluid to be dispensed to the scalp.
 10. The method of claim 7, wherein the handle base includes a proximal portion with a suction cup to secure the fluid-dispensing comb upright to a flat horizontal surface, and the method further includes, based on user input, securing the fluid-dispensing comb upright to the flat horizontal surface with the suction cup of the handle base.
 11. The method of claim 7, wherein the ends of the teeth are separated by a distance of at least 7 mm.
 12. The method of claim 7, wherein the curved interior faces of the plurality of teeth form V-shaped spaces between the curved interior faces of the teeth.
 14. The method of claim 7, wherein the ends of the teeth include roller balls that are rotatably received within the ends that roll along the scalp to distribute fluid to the scalp.
 15. The method of claim 7, wherein the handle base is transparent and includes volume level markings. 